TURNING TIDES.

Next Thursday, the 5th, our beautiful mountain home will go on the market. Those who know me best are not remotely surprised. It was not an easy decision. I don’t think I have to explain my life choices to anyone, but I have invited all of you in on this journey so I would love to share with you WHY we are leaving and WHAT is next.

My husband and I have long talked about being completely debt free. We haven’t always made the wisest decisions when it comes to that. Okay, it’s mostly me. I’m a shopper. I love experiences. I often don’t weigh the true cost of a decision. That’s why my husband is such a great balance for me. I was recently inspired by a friend who has made some extreme steps to being completely debt free, including mortgage. This made us look at our life. What could we actually do to become completely debt free? What could we do to radically change our lives and get us to this goal? The sale of this home would allow us to pay off debt, have a legitimate savings, and have a substantial downpayment. We’re also going to get rid of our car and buy a beater for cash. We’re looking at a new space space that isn’t based around what we can do MONTHLY. We’re looking at the long term, how much debt do we want to take out?

Secondly, while this has been a PRECIOUS time for our family, it has been temporary. This move to the mountains gave us space to breathe. It showed us what we were willing to sacrifice, what is important to us, and what we want to protect. For the first time, we’re having family dinners. We are having slow mornings that create a beautiful foundation for our days. We’ve learned how to say “no.” We’ve had some space to be creative and figure out the nexts steps for our creative ventures. HOWEVER, we’re ready to come home. Being in the city is like breathing to us.

The city holds so many things that are important for us to impart to our kids. Diversity is something we value and want our kids to value. Upon observing this area, one of our children recently asked us “where are the brown people?” It broke our hearts. We knew it’d be a danger, but we had hoped the time we spend in the city and the traveling we do, they wouldn’t pick up on how…well…white it is up here. We miss the different kinds of people. Different cultures, cuisines, beliefs, sexual orientations, races, styles…these things are important to us and we want our children to know that the way they are isn’t the standard. They are a SMALL PART of the big, beautiful tapestry that God designed our world to be.

Also, food. I really miss food.

Also über. And proximity to the airport. And my family. And my friends. And decent cell service.

My girls have begun expressing how much they miss their family. In particular, their cousins. They want to be near them and I want that for them.

We also feel like there are big things for our family. Things that we cannot accomplish by hiding away in a beautiful (and much needed) retreat.

SO, this city mouse has a one way ticket back to the city. We are not sure when it’ll happen. We are not in a rush. We are not anxious. We trust that God is directing our steps and we are open. The right buyer will come along. The right home will be there when we’re ready. The timing will be right. Until then, we’re cleaning, preparing, watching the FMLS like crazy people, and waiting.

Peace up. A-town down.